Hakeem Nicks hates the business side of the NFL. The New York Giants wide receiver is putting together a less than stellar 2013 season and has become the subject of a lot of trade talk. After an offseason that had Nicks in the middle of free agency controversy, he is ready for all the extra talk to be put to rest. After yet another bad game on Monday night, the wide receiver is trying to shut out all of the outside distractions that are magnifying his struggling season.
"I don't feel like my game is too much different from what it has been in the past," Nicks said, via NJ.com. "I think people are putting more significance on it due to what kind of year it is for me. They put a little more emphasis on that. But I think I'm still playing the game the way I've been playing it. Because of what lies ahead for me and, you know, the outside talk that's going on right now."
Nicks is in the middle of a contract season. Some were expecting the wide receiver to sign an extension last offseason, but the Giants opted to make Victor Cruz a priority and let Nicks play out his final year. If the wide receiver put together a great year, he would likely demand a long-term mx contract from any team in free agency. However, so far Nicks has around six-eight dropped passes this season, depending on the viewpoint. He had just two all of last year. Despite everything, Nicks still feels like he is reliable.
"I always feel like I can, every game don't always go your way, but you just have to keep punching, keep fighting and eventually in the end you'll come out on top," Nicks said. "Sometimes you have games where some are just a little out of your reach, some you can't pull in. I understand that. I don't get down on myself about it. Just be a pro and bounce back."
The topic of Nicks' reliability has been put into question. Has the Giants struggle this season with just one win through seven weeks of play, the wide receivers have fallen under scrutiny for not helping out. Nicks has been criticized for his effort, not fighting hard enough for balls and also dropping several passes thrown his way. Head coach Tom Coughlin is taking notice.
"You've got to get to the point where the reliability factor is there as strongly as it always has been," Coughlin said, via the New York Daily News. "Has it been there up to this point? No. But we're saying 'Let's get back to work and get this done.' We count on this guy."
